Outstanding young farmers are nominated by local agricultural professionals and then judged based upon their progress in farming, soil and water conservation practices and community involvement.

This year's outstanding young farmers are Nick and Danae Stieglitz of Greenwood. Nick and Danae will represent the county in the state competition in January.

The second-place nominee was Wayne and Lisa Artac of Greenwood.

About Nick and Danae Stieglitz

Farm Profile: 750 dairy cattle, 1,200+ acres, farming for 12 years

Children: Mason, Madison, Allison

Progress in agriculture career: Nick and Danae both grew up on dairy farms, and Nick attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison Short course after high school as preparation for a partnership in the family farm. Danae became a certified veterinary technician and now uses those skills on the farm. They milk 330 cows, but have a total of 750 dairy stock on the farm.

Nick and Danae have a goal of creating a great working environment on the farm, while trying to strengthen the dairy business in the community and creating a strong operation to pass onto their children, if they want to farm. Danae would like to see the farm diversify by creating and selling dairy products from the farm to the consumer.

The Stieglitzes' reproduction and cull rate on the farm has caused an overflow of heifers. To overcome this challenge, they have started to sell some extra replacements they have raised. Employee management is an important part of the operation, and Nick and Danae try to make sure that their employees are happy by offering health insurance, pay incentives and treating them like family.

Nick and Danae farm with Nick's parents, Wes and Jody, and his brothers Louie and Eric. They also have three part-time and three full-time employees. They use Dairy Comp for all their cow records and Quick Books to monitor their financial performance.

Soil and water conservation: The Stieglitzes update their 590 nutrient management plan each year to allocate their manure in the most effective and environmentally friendly way possible. They use grass water ways to protect surface water in the area. They implement spring tillage on more erodible land and have installed tile line in the wetter fields. They use chisel plowing instead of moldboard plowing to conserve the soil.

Nick and Danae upgraded their earthen wall manure pit to a completely cemented manure pit. They worked with their county conservationist to make sure everything was up to code throughout the whole project. This year, the Stieglitzes signed their land up for the Conservation Stewardship Program with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. In this program, they implemented using tillage radishes as a winter cover crop to help break up soil compaction, and tissue testing plants to improve nitrogen management.

Community involvement: Nick and Danae are members of the Greenwood FFA Alumni. Nick was elected as the Greenwood Chapter FFA Alumni president this year, and Danae was elected treasurer. The Stieglitzes are members of the Accelerated Genetics Young Producers, where Nick is also a delegate for the area. Nick also likes to help out any young/new farmers in their area. Danae serves as a board member for the non-profit Learn-A-Lot preschool in Greenwood.

About Wayne and Lisa Artac

Farm profile: 121 Jersey cattle, 50 hogs, 150 acres, 15 years farming

Children: Kaitlin, Brittney, Wyatt, Alane, Jaylinn

Progress in agriculture career: Wayne and Lisa began their farming adventures 15 years ago. Lisa had just graduated high school, and Wayne had been out for one year. They rented Lisa's father's barn and small herd of cattle. After a couple of months, they purchased 20 grade Jersey heifers.

As young farmers starting out they had many dreams, a lot of energy and many lessons to learn, with neither of them having grown up on a dairy farm. They grew from 20 cows to a full 57-cow barn. Wayne also started growing his small hog operation with just a couple sows.

Today, they rent 150 acres and house 121 head of registered Jersey cattle. A couple of miles from that farm, they house their herd of swine, which includes 15 sows, two boars and numerous piglets.

Their farm records include financial, breeding, milking (DHIA), genetic and health/vaccination. They add information from their records into different formulas to accurately evaluate which cows are truly profitable. Wayne and Lisa's family is focused on having a high quality herd of cattle and swine, concentrating on longevity while maintaining a respectable level of production. Their family enjoys the farm life in every sense; they all do chores together and participate in all aspects of farming together.

In the earlier years of their operation, they often would call the vet for problems they could have treated (with proper training) on their own. This resulted in unnecessary expenses that could have been avoided. To overcome this challenge, they asked their vet to train them in IV techniques and the proper methods to treat cattle. Lisa also obtained training in artificial insemination.

Soil and water conservation: The Artacs use terracing in their farm operation. This allows them to minimize soil erosion, increase fertilizer absorption and intensify the yields of their crops. They plant in strips to utilize terracing techniques; this also reduces run off, thus protecting the water supply for them and others. Lime is added to the soil when soil testing indicates a need. Their fertilizer application and amounts are monitored carefully in order to keep the soil at the desired level of productivity while keeping water supplies safe for them and those living nearby.

Community involvement: Wayne has served on the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders board of directors for four years. Throughout the years, he has also been a part of the Wisconsin Spring Sale. Wayne recently joined the staff of the Wisconsin State Jersey show. He is also a very active part of youth committees within 4-H. On the county level, he is on the Livestock and Dairy committee. Within their 4-H club, he is a dairy leader and swine leader.

Lisa is just as active, currently becoming the general leader for the Willard/Braun 4-H club. Within the community, she is a member of the 7 C's day care board. She recently agreed to be part of the Greenwood Ems Auxiliary, which aides the fire and ambulance services.

Contributed by Maria Bendixen, Clark County dairy and livestock agent.

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Outstanding young farmers honored

On Oct. 27, the 2012 Clark County Outstanding Young Farmer was named.

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